The REAL Me…I am Brave and Beautiful!

I am Brave and Beautiful – a beauty movement that is sweeping the globe. Colbie Caillat started it with her recent song and video called TRY. My blogging friend Megan of Brassy Apple wanted to push this movement along and invited women from all over to share what they looked like without make up and I joined in!! Colbie’s song says, “Take your make up off. Let your hair down… Look into the mirror at yourself, Do you like you? Cause I like you… “

Megan and her friend Cobi of Peacefrom6pieces have been the team behind this whole project. Their worldwide vision included creating their own video inspired by the song TRY. The talent of Robbins Creative made it possible for them to pull it off. You have to click play and see the beauty and bravery displayed and you might even recognize a few faces in there.

I, along with 101+ other blogging women from different backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, ages, shapes and sizes have decided to be Brave and Beautiful! You can join in this movement too by sharing what you look like without makeup on. You don’t need a blog either! Just tag your photo with #IamBraveAndBeautiful on Instgram and search the hashtag to see who else has joined in. ALSO, if you tag it with a second hashtag – #ColbieTRY we just might be able to get Colbie Caillat’s attention since she was the inspiration behind it all!

One of the most insightful moments I’ve had as a mother came a couple of years ago, when my girls were just four years old. One of them was up on the bathroom counter while I was doing her hair, and she made the comment to me that she didn’t think she was pretty. That her sister, with her strawberry colored hair that was straight (an important detail to this curly-haired girl), was much prettier than she was, and therefore, she wasn’t quite good as she was. I kind of stood there, momentarily stunned, but frantically scouring my thoughts for just the right thing to say. I couldn’t believe that my darling, adorable, smart, sweet, funny, beautiful four year old girl could possibly think that she wasn’t good enough, based on what she thought she looked like.

It also caused me much introspection, as I pondered…how did I truly see myself? How did I portray that to my kids, especially my girls? What kind of an example was I? I knew that they would soak in everything I did and said when it came to how I looked and felt about myself. I knew I hadn’t been perfect–after having five kids in six years, including two twin pregnancies, I have focused a lot on losing weight, and more on my physical appearance. That’s not a bad thing–it’s healthy and important to lose weight, but I had to face the very real fact that I did judge myself based on how I looked, even though I consider myself to be a confident person. From that day forward, I made a conscious goal to work on it, and even though I’m not perfect, I’ve come a long way.

Being a mother has made the most impact on me. My kids don’t care if I wear makeup, or if I’m barefaced. They don’t love me any less if I’m dressed to the hilt in the latest trends, or wearing my comfiest yoga pants and tee shirt covered in paint. They see the real me–right inside me–right into what counts. They’ve given me that gift, and I strive to give them the same…the gift of self. I loved the movie The Help, and every day I tell my kids…You are Kind. You are Good. You are Important.

So…do I like me? The REAL me?

The answer? YES! Yes, I do.

Don’t stop here. Get clicking around – its a blog hop! Below are more brave and beautiful women bearing more than their natural beauty. They each have a little bit of their heart to share with you. Some get very personal. Some share stories. For some this was very hard to do yet they gathered their courage and did it anyway. We hope as you click around (and YES pin these different posts!) you will feel the importance of it, the empowering effect it has and that it encourages you in some way.

>>>>>>>Important info! Blog Hops often have glitches the first day. If the link has an ERROR, simply click on the HOME button for each site, or google the blog name next to the link, and you should see their brave and beautiful post there. Links will be updated as soon as possible.<<<<<<<<<<<<

Good for you! I think one of the most important things about this project is to take what we’ve been writing about and find ways to apply it in our lives, especially when it comes to teaching our children! Thanks for your post. Love it & I think you are adorable (in both photos) :) ~Heather

Thank you so much for posting this. Ive decided to join the movement to and have posted about it as well on my blog. What a neat message to be apart of. Thank you for posting your beautiful picture of the real you.

Being a mom of girls can be so hard sometimes (and of course so rewarding). I want to do all I can to make sure they love themselves as I much as I love them. I hope I can give them the gift of self as you’re doing with your girls.

growing up my mom was always dieting, focused on her body, weight, looks. and it wasn’t good for me and my sisters, so as a mom myself I try to never say anything negative about myself. of course it still happens, but my hope for my girls is to instill confidence and acceptance of who they are and what they look like, to see their own beauty and appreciate it.

you are stunningly beautifl and GREAT features!!! thank you for joining in! I know it was a stretch for you and I hope you have felt the benefits of it! Each story shared reaches someone who needs to hear it. thank you for helping me with something I felt passionate about! xo

Oh, Megan, thank you! It was a rush to get done after my babe got home from the hospital, but I’m glad I could still participate–it was such a great idea!! I’m so glad I could help and be a part of it! xoxo

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